Travelbay Tip:Extend this tour with the Pushkar Camel Fair. These are for departures in November and certain dates apply. Click here for more information.

* Price includes 6 nights' accommodation, air-conditioned vehicle, all entrance fees, guides, 12 meals and more. Price does not include international return flights to India.

We would be happy to provide you with a quote for international flights. Flights from Australia to Delhi are approximately $900 - $1100 per person return. The actual price varies depending on departure city, time of year and luck of the draw!

Day 2: Discover Delhi – the heart of India

A special opportunity to soak in the sounds and aromas of Delhi and discover why it is known as the heart of India.

In the morning enjoy a guided tour of Delhi. Explore Old Delhi's heritage walking through the narrow lanes and experience a rickshaw ride.

You will visit key places such as: Jama Masjid – one of the largest mosques in India and iconic of Delhi, Raj Ghat – Mahatma Gandhi's monument, Sikh Gurdwara – an important Sikh temple and quiet refuge in the busy city and the iconic Lotus Temple. You will also drive to India Gate, the President's House and Lutyen's buildings and have the opportunity to shop at some local markets.

Day 3: Travel to Jaipur, the colourful capital of Rajasthan

After breakfast, you will be driven to Jaipur in Rajasthan (around 5 hours drive). This bustling and fascinating city has some of the finest examples of Rajasthani architecture and whilst it is a growing city with a modern outlook, camels can be found wandering the streets and rickshaws blend in with the traffic.

You will be driven to your hotel on arrival and you can spend the rest of the day at leisure. In the evening you will be taken to a lovely but simple cafe located in Naharagarh Palace, perched on top of a hill, it offers a superb bird’s eye view of the city. Enjoy watching the sun going down over the city.

Day 4: Visit Amber Fort and discover the Pink City

After breakfast visit the ancient palace of Amber Fort*, which is exquisite in many ways – size, scale, craftsmanship, history and sits on a hilltop overlooking the lake with stunning views. One of the most spectacular buildings contained in the fort is the Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors), with its walls completely covered with tiny mirrors. It has been designed so that even if a single ray of light is to enter the hall, this light is reflected in all the mirrors and the entire hall lights up.

Later visit the key sights and wonders of the Pink City in the heart of Jaipur. Visit the Observatory, the Maharaja's City Palace and Palace of the Winds (viewed from the outside only). Built of red and pink sandstone it is said to resemble the honeycomb structure of a bee’s nest. It was called the Palace of Winds as in the original design it had a clever cooling system that once spread gentle breezes throughout the Palace – very welcome in the hot Rajasthani summers. It is said to have been built as an observatory where the women of the Maharaja's City Palace could observe the outside world whilst remaining inside the palace.

The bustling bazaars of the old city are a great place to shop and explore and are some of the most vibrant in Asia – Rajasthan is known for its colour!

*You have the option to take an elephant ride to Amber Fort. The cost of this is AUD15 per person (2 people on an elephant) or AUD30 (one person atop an elephant). There are strict regulations in place to limit the total number of journeys each elephant can do in a day, and they are only allowed to carry 2 passengers at a time to prevent any over-working of elephants.

Day 5: Travel to Agra via the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri

After breakfast you will be collected for the drive to Agra (around 5 hours). On the way stop at the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Located in the Keoladeo National Park, a world heritage site and protected sanctuary, it is home to thousands of birds. Enjoy this wonder of India as you ride through the park on a rickshaw.

Visit a local school (subject to the school being open) and village before having lunch at a local restaurant, then visit the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri. Walk through the city with your guide hearing the intriguing story behind the abandoning of the city and learn about its great architecture.

Day 6: The magnificent Taj Mahal and Agra Fort

Visiting the Taj Mahal in the early morning is something not to be missed. Watch as the marble changes colour as the sun rises, follow this by wandering the grounds of the Taj Mahal with your guide and marvelling at its wonder. Your will then be taken back to your hotel for breakfast.

Later in the morning, visit the majestic Agra Fort and take yourself back in time to an era of great palaces and grand forts. The fort itself is magnificent, and you also get great views of the Taj Mahal in the distance. Later visit a Marble factory where you see the fascinating inlay work of local artisans whose forefathers built the Taj Mahal.

Travelbay works together with an excellent corporate flight booking company and is happy to provide you with a quote and organise your flights. We charge a $50 booking fee for this service. Alternatively, if you would like to arrange flights yourself you can find more information and suggestions here.

If you are wanting to know more about how far it is between destinations and how long your flight will take, you can visit www.travelmath.com and use their trip calculator.

Timezones:To help you calculate the time difference we recommend World Time Buddy.

Visa information:Most nationalities require a visa when travelling to India. You need to apply for and receive your visa before you depart.

You can apply for your visa via VFS Global who works in conjunction with the Indian embassy. You will need to send your passport and application form by mail to VFS. See here for more information.

Or you can apply for an e-visa online here. Please note, if you apply for an e-visa you may have to wait in queue once you arrive in India (additional to immigration). Sometimes this line can be an hour or more.

Currency information:The currency used in India is the Indian Rupee.

What currency to take over there is a personal choice. Some people prefer to take US$ cash as a backup whilst others prefer to take AUD$ cash – it depends on what you are comfortable with. There are ATM machines available and you should let your bank know that you will be using your card over there to avoid them freezing any 'suspicious' activity.

Vaccination information:Travelbay recommends you check with your doctor as to any immunisations that you may require or that are recommended for your travels. Alternatively, you can visit The Travel Doctor or Travelvax for more information.

Climate:India is a large country with a huge range of varying climates - it is tropical in the South and alpine in the North in the Himalayas. The following information is specific to the region of this tour (Delhi - Jaipur - Jabalpur - Varanasi).

The region can be very hot in the summer time (April to July) with temperatures ranging from 22°C to 45°C. In the winter months the temperatures range from 22°C to 5°C.

Monsoon season: July to September.

Dry season: April to June.

Peak season: The end of December and into February is peak season for travel in India.

October to April is a popular time for visitors’ due to the milder and cool climate. There are some tours to the North of India that we do not run in the summer time due to the sizzling weather in the dry areas such as Rajasthan.

Diwali and Holi are festivals in India and during this time places are more likely to be crowded and accommodation fills up quickly. Diwali falls in October and is the festival of lights. Holi is also known as the Festival of Colours and is celebrated in March. Whilst crowded, it can be a great time to enjoy the festivities with the locals.

Travelbay tip: Ask the local guides about the best places to dine.

Tipping tips:

Tipping is entirely at your discretion.

In response to some customers questions here are a few guidelines:

It is usual to tip the waiters, porters, guides and drivers. Tips are not included in the bills for hotels, transport companies or any other suppliers. At hotels and restaurants, about 10% of the bill is usually acceptable. Tipping is not necessary for taxis or for cheaper restaurants. It is a good idea to check if service charges are included in your restaurant bill. If not, a tip of 10% of the total bill is normal.

Although we give below a few general guidelines, it is to be remembered that tipping is a sign of gratification for good service, and therefore please view the guidelines as the middle ground, which can be adjusted depending on the level of service you feel you have received.

Please note the below amounts are per person for individual travellers.

Guides, Escorts and Transport:

Guide (Full Day) Rs 500 – Rs 800 per day

Guide (Half Day) Rs 400 – Rs 600 per day

Tour Escort Rs 500 – Rs 1000 per day

Driver for the tour Rs 300 – Rs 500 per day

Driver for local duties Rs - 500 per day

Hotels/ Restaurants:

Bell Boy Rs 30 – Rs 50 per member of staff

Room Service & Restaurants About 10% of the bill total (Unless service charge is mentioned as included)

Population: 1.3 billion

Language: There is no national language in India. Hindi and English are both official languages. India has over 1,000 spoken languages. The languages with the most number of speakers are Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi and Tamil.

India, Pakistan and Bangladesh used to be one country. After British rule ended in 1947 these countries eventually became independent.

Delhi is the capital of India but Mumbai is the most populated with a population of over 20 million.

India prides itself on being the world's largest democracy. In the 2009 election there were over 417 million voters.

Related blogs & articles:

Travelbay Tip:

Do the same tour with the addition of 2 days with the tigers of Ranthabhore or add on some time in Kerala.

More Travelbay India Tours:

TERMS

Terms & Conditions

Booking Process:

Upon purchase of your tour online you will immediately receive a receipt and order confirmation. Travelbay will contact the tour operator to confirm availability for all accommodation and transportation for your tour.

As soon as we have confirmed the dates (usually within 24 hours sometimes a little longer at weekends) we will email you your booking confirmation.

We will request further information from you to ensure that all your personal preferences are taken care of. This will include details such as your accommodation preferences, dietary requests, allergies, health issues, emergency contact and any special requirements. We will also request a copy of each traveller’s passport.

Very Important:

It is important to note yourdates are only confirmed once we have been in touch with you to confirm availability. Therefore, please wait on purchasing your international flights until you have received a booking confirmation from us. In the unlikely event that there is no availability on your chosen date we will offer you alternate dates. If these do not suit we will fully refund your payment.

Booking Information:

Quoted prices are per person.

Booking valid for selected and booked travel dates.

Please book at least 30 days prior to your desired date of travel.

Bookings are subject to availability.

Child prices: Children under 5 are free. Please contact us for prices of children 5 and over as it will vary depending on the age of the child and group size.

The listed "Price per person ~ single room" relates to having your own room for the tour. If you are a single traveller please note the minimum group size is 2, so you need to contact us prior to booking to ensure others have already booked on your preferred travel date. If you would like to travel alone, please contact us and we can arrange a custom quote.

Maximum group size is 10. Please contact us if your group is larger than 10.

For groups of 10 or more people you will have an accompanying tour escort.

If you would like to arrive before the start of tour or leave later and require extra nights’ accommodation, please contact us and we can arrange it for you at very reasonable rates.

If you have any other special requests including having a quote for a private tour please let us know as we can make arrangements.

Please note: The luggage limit for checked in baggage for many domestic flights in India is 15kg. For carry on it is 7kg. Some flights allow more but you cannot depend on this. If your luggage exceeds the allowed rate then you are responsible for paying any excess charges. Again these vary, but start at around AUD5 per kg and are sometimes more for longer flights.

Prior to completion of your booking we take great care to go through all the details together with you until we get everything exactly as you would like it. At that point we confirm your booking and the details and you pay for it. If after payment, you decide to make further changes we will do what we can to accommodate them and will also need to charge an additional $50 administration fee.

Inclusions:

6 nights' accommodation.

Check-in & check-out time: generally, check in is after 2 pm and check out before 12 pm. Early check-in and late check-out are subject to room availability and may generate additional full day room rate.

All transportation throughout the tour in an air-conditioned vehicle. The vehicle used will depend on the size of the tour and will range from an air-conditioned car for groups of 2, a Toyota Innova for groups of 3, a minivan for groups of 4-10 people and for groups over 10 a coach will be used. The vehicle will be used accordingly to the number of people booked on each date.

All airport transfers – a representative will be there to meet you on arrival and get you to the airport on time for your departure.

Assistance at airports and all major cities.

English speaking guide for sightseeing as per the tour program (in each location you will have a different guide).

Entrance fees to the monuments and parks as mentioned in the itinerary.

Bottled mineral water in the vehicle during journeys and transfers.

Exclusions:

International airfares to and from India (we can provide you with a quote for these).

Meals not outlined in the itinerary.

Drinks for all meals.

Elephant ride at Amber Fort - The cost of this is AUD15 per person (based on 2 people sharing) or AUD30 per person (single person on elephant).

Camera fee wherever levied.

Any visa fee.

Travel insurance.

Any additional taxes levied by the Government of India on the tourism sector in future will be payable by the guest.

Any sudden increase in the entrance fee. The price is based on the presently applicable fee.

Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary/ stay on account of flight cancellation due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks and/or any factors beyond control.

Tips and gratuities.

Personal expenses such as telephone, laundry etc.

Others not indicated in the inclusions.

General Terms & Conditions:

Your contract with Travelbay commences upon us providing you with a booking confirmation (not upon payment).

By purchasing this tour you confirm that you have read, understood and agree to these terms and conditions.

All prices we list are in AUD unless otherwise stated and include GST where payable.

This package, including any unused portion, cannot be exchanged for other services or cash.

Some accommodation providers may require that you present a credit card or cash deposit upon check-in to cover any additional expenses that may be incurred during your stay, for example mini-bar. You are responsible for the payment of any such additional expenses.

Please check baggage allowance prior to travel. The allowance may vary according to the destination, airline, cruise or coach operator. You are responsible for any excess baggage fees.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have a valid visa, if required. Please click here for more information on visa requirements.

Passport and visa regulations can change and it is your responsibility to ensure that you possess the relevant travel documents before you travel. Delays can be experienced in obtaining a passport or visa, so you are advised to apply in plenty of time. We accept no responsibility in any regard in relation to customers who are denied entry to a country because they do not possess the correct travel documents.

It is also your responsibility to ensure that you hold a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your date of return. If you hold multiple passports, you may be required to present your passport of residence on departing that country. If you hold a passport for a country to which you are travelling, you may be obliged to produce that passport on entering the country. Accordingly, you could be obliged to carry more than one passport when travelling overseas. You should make your own enquiries in relation to your specific circumstances and requirements.

It is your responsibility to ensure that all your details are recorded correctly. Any request for a name change after documents have been issued may incur amendment fees or result in the original booking being cancelled and in the case of airlines, the loss of a seat.

When purchasing flights, cruises and other carriage and travel services, the name on the passport must match the name on the ticket otherwise you may not be able to travel and insurance may be invalid. If, after purchasing products or services but before traveling, any member of your party changes their name you must notify the relevant carrier, or us, immediately so that the necessary changes can be made to your documentation. You may incur a fee.

Travelbay recommends you check with your doctor as to any immunisations that you may require or that are recommended for your travels. Alternatively, you can visit The Travel Doctor or Travelvax for more information. For those of you who have any medical conditions please also ensure you are fit to travel and have all the medication you need with you. Recommended inoculations for travel may change and you should consult your doctor for current recommendations before you depart. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet all health entry requirements, obtain recommended inoculations, take all recommended medication, and follow all medical advice in relation to your trip.

Many but not all suppliers have facilities for people who require assistance. If you have any disabilities or require special assistance, please let us know at the time of booking so we can check if suitable services are available.

It is your responsibility to review travel prohibitions, warnings, announcements and advisories issued by the relevant government agencies prior to booking travel or departing to international destinations. For Australian travellers, information on conditions in various countries and the level of risk associated with travel to particular international destinations can be found on the Australian Government's travel advisory and consular assistance service website currently located at http://www.smarttraveller.gov.au. For travellers from other countries we recommend you check the travel recommendations of your country.

By offering reservations for travel-related products or services in relation to particular international destinations, Travelbay does not represent or warrant that travel to such points is advisable or without risk, and Travelbay is not liable for damages or losses that may result from travel to such destinations.

Travelbay sells tours on behalf of other Suppliers/Tour Operators. We rely on the relevant third party suppliers. Travelbay and the airlines, hotels and other Suppliers providing Services made available on or through this Website are independent parties and are not related parties. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Travelbay is not liable for the acts, errors, omissions, representations, warranties, breaches or negligence of any such Suppliers or for any personal injuries, death, property damage, or other damages or expenses resulting therefrom.

Whilst we take great care to provide clear and accurate information, there may be occasions where there are inaccuracies or errors. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Travelbay does not guarantee the accuracy of, and disclaims liability for, any errors or other inaccuracies relating to the information, descriptions and activities displayed on this website and in our promotional material.

All accommodation and hotels are subject to change. If the stated hotel is not available a hotel of a similar standard and location will be booked.

Hotel ratings displayed on this Website and in our promotional material are intended only as general guidelines, and Travelbay does not guarantee the accuracy of the ratings. Hotel room images are representative only and the actual room occupied may vary in inclusions and décor.

In some circumstances, some specific products or services as contained on this website and promotional material may not be available due to circumstance beyond our control. In that situation, we will do our best to provide replacement products and / or services of a comparable nature and quality. Travelbay and our respective Suppliers make no guarantees about the availability of specific products and services.

Subject to relevant laws, if Travelbay merges, sells or otherwise changes control of our business or this Website, we reserve the right, without giving notice or seeking consent, to transfer or assign your Personal Information, content and rights that we have collected from you and any agreements we have made with you.

Travelbay reserves all intellectual property rights, including but not limited to, copyright in material and/or services provided by us.

If you have any questions please email us 24/7 or call us Monday to Friday on 1800 020 020 to speak with one of our friendly team.

22 March 2019

5 April 2019

19 April 2019

3 May 2019

17 May 2019

31 May 2019

14 June 2019

28 June 2019

12 July 2019

26 July 2019

9 August 2019

23 August 2019

6 September 2019

20 September 2019

4 October 2019

18 October 2019

24 October 2019* Diwali - special departure

1 November 2019*

15 November 2019

29 November 2019

13 December 2019

30 December 2019*

More dates available, please contact us

*High season surcharge of $50 applies

Customer Reviews

Thanks for organising an excellent holiday! Everything went like clockwork and we had an amazing time.
Our guides were knowledgeable and our driver, with us for the whole trip, was terrific company. He had a great sense of humour. He really went out of his way to make sure we had the best possible time.
The hotels were very good. We would certainly consider using your agency again for another trip.

C

C.W.

We had a fantastic time.

We had a fantastic time. The hotel in Delhi was a great place to stay. All the staff were exceptional. Best food, bed and pillows. They treated us as if we were family. Abhi from the tour company was fantastic, as were the guides and drivers. Thank you Nikki, Nicola and Fiona for putting this trip together.

G

G.O.

The trip has been fantastic.

The trip has been fantastic. Abhijeet, our driver Arwin and all the tour guides have been great. Could not fault them. They went out of their way to please us and make sure we are comfortable and were enjoying our tour. Their knowledge of the history has made the trip even more interesting. What can I say about the Taj .......speechless!!! Our dream fulfilled.
Thank you Nikki for putting this tour together for us.

B

B.&.J.P.

It certainly was a new experience

It certainly was a new experience and we enjoyed visiting the various monuments especially the Taj Mahal (the highlight of our trip!). One off the bucket list! Were glad we went for the upgrade because the accommodation and meals were excellent (that was one of our main concerns with going to India).

Going through the cities, it has opened our eyes and we are so lucky to be living in Australia. We had always planned to do/try something different every year and this is definitely one of those trips. The time spent amongst nature in the forest at the Bird Sanctuary was one of them we didnt think wed enjoy that but we did.

It could have been the worst holiday of our lives but due to the honesty of the cleaner at Courtyard by Marriott at Agra, we managed to retrieve my jewellery pouch which contained my engagement ring, eternity ring, pair of ear-rings, bracelet and another gold ring. Being distracted by a phone call, my husband inadvertently left the pouch in the safe deposit box and we only realised it was missing when we reached Jaipur and checked into the Marriott. A few frantic calls and the receptionist confirmed that the cleaner had handed in the pouch. Now to arrange a courier to deliver it to us in Jaipur, being the Holi Celebrations and a public holiday it would take at least 48 hours which meant we would be on the way to Delhi by then. Fortunately, the representative, Abhi, came to the rescue. After several calls between him and my husband, Abhi arranged for their driver to collect the item and deliver to us in Delhi by 10.30am the day we were to depart to KL flight (7.30 pm).

Thank you for organising our trip and we look forward to more travel plans with your company.

B

B.&.J.P.

We were very pleased

We were very pleased with the representatives, tour guides and the driver. They all performed their respective jobs well and were very friendly and accommodating. The tour guides were very knowledgeable and provided us with a great deal of information. If we went on our own, we would not know any of the details they provided. The driver was experienced, were not sure how wed survived with driving in those conditions!

We were very impressed with our hotel accommodation and all the meals included in the tour package. Even the lunches/dinners at the outside restaurants were good. We find no fault with the inclusions in the tour package.